India, Jan. 5 -- Fashion doesn't usually announce itself during political moments. It slips in quietly: a watch visible under a cuff, a jacket saying more than its wearer. But every so often, it hijacks the entire frame. That's what happened when images circulated of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro being arrested wearing a full Nike Tech Fleece. Almost immediately, Google searches for "Nike Tech" surged.

To understand the internet's fixation, you have to understand the Nike Tech's cultural weight. Since the line's original launch in 2013, it has occupied a very specific fashion space.

Its clean panelling, engineered seams, and sharply placed zips give it structure without stiffness. It is athleisure that looks considered. Comfortable, ...